Cuba: Raúl Castro comes out in defense of Cuban leaders and their economic adjustment plan

After closing a year with negative economic results and after the announcement of an adjustment program that would raise the price of fuel and make changes to food subsidies, among other things, the former president and leader Cuban Raúl Castro came out on Monday in an unusual speech to defend the measures and the direction of the island’s process.

Castro led the event for the 65th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution in the city of Santiago—about 800 kilometers east-southeast of Havana—and with him were the current president Miguel Díaz-Canel and the prime minister, Manuel Marrero. .

“I know that I express the feelings of the historical generation by ratifying trust in those who today hold leadership responsibilities in our (communist) party and government,” said Castro, 92, who rarely speaks in public anymore. “The Cuban revolution, after 65 years, far from weakening, is getting stronger.”

The speech was broadcast live, and throughout it Castro insisted on the socialist and humanist direction of the process.

The last week of 2023, during the Parliament session, Premier Marrero unleashed a strong controversy among citizens by announcing a plan that contemplates eliminating “distortions” in the economy through an increase in the price of fuel – or charging them in dollars – , electricity and transportation, or with changes in the supply booklet that all Cubans receive.

Although no details were given about the measures or when they would be implemented, the reaction from people included long lines at gas stations—which had already subsided in recent weeks—and all kinds of comments on social networks.

Cuba has faced a strong economic crisis since 2020 due to the consequences of the paralysis due to the pandemic, a set of macroeconomic decisions by the government in 2021 that unleashed an inflationary process and a radical increase in United States sanctions to pressure a change in the political model. on the island.

“The policy of permanent hostility and blockade of the United States government is the main cause of the difficulties of our economy, have no doubts about this reality, even if the enemy invests millions of dollars and a lot of effort to hide it”Castro said during his speech.

Others “let themselves be confused by their lies and in a certain way play into the hands of (Washington and the anti-Castro groups), unconsciously overwhelmed by daily difficulties; With the latter we cannot lose patience, we must listen to them, explain to them until we convince them with the powerful weapon of truth that is on our side,” added the Cuban leader.

During the parliamentary sessions, the authorities reported that 2023 would close with a contraction of up to 2% of the Gross Domestic Product, annual inflation would be 30%, and the indicators of almost all sectors were on the decline, from the strategic tourism to food and industry.

In 2023, the crisis was noted in the lack of food supply, intermittent power outages, lines for gasoline and even a notable emigration of Cubans, some using the dangerous route through Central America.

The United States border authorities indicated that throughout the fiscal years (counted from October to September) of 2021, 2022 and 2023, and until last December, they had registered contact with 500,000 Cubans seeking to enter the North American country, especially on the borders with Mexico.

In January 2023, US President Joe Biden approved a conditional permit mechanism to contain the flow that achieved decreases in the following months, but towards the end of the year the numbers shot up again. In October there were 18,000 and in November 20,000 Cubans intercepted at the border.

In addition, thousands of people submitted applications for asylum or residence in Mexico or emigrated to European countries, especially Spain, and many others were intercepted by the US coast guard when they sought to cross the Strait of Florida.